The boring middle period of evaluation follow with nothing worth note happening over the next hour.
The skills of the contestants gradually improved, and there were some that stood out from time to time.
But having to listen to the same song over 40 more times made it hard not to get bored.
"Well...."
"It's fine."
Around the time when boredom had peaked it was finally Soo-Ha's turn.
Go Yoojun raises his small fist towards him with a grim expression.
He had just finished his evaluation and was one of the few who had managed to display the song at a professional level.
"F-Fighting Hyung"
"...? Huh, yes"
Surprised at the little kids attempt at moral support, Soo-ha forms a slightly smile before he begins his slow ascent onto the stage.
Under the spotlight, facing the crowd it felt familiar.
The nervousness, the spine-tingling sensation that came every time he felt the hardwood of the stage floor.
He felt alive.
"No 15, Park Soo-Ha"
"Yes"
The choreographer had for all intents and purposes already made his mind up, or rather the entire panel of judges seemed to have no real expectations.
Even Bang PD who was the most excited of the bunch was in consensus with the rest of the panel, their thoughts were clear to see, 'he can sing, but he can't dance'.
"Start, whenever you are ready."
Nodding, Soo-Ha turns to the AD (Assistant Director) giving him the okay sign.
The electro-pop prelude begins as Park Soo-Ha gets ready.
As the first note hits, Park Soo-Ha began his first move.
It was fast and sharp, as he raises his arms before turning his body rotating his body smoothly to face the crowd.
"....!"
The first person to notice anything was the choreographer.
The term line in dance is sometimes confused with an actual line, meaning how most people use line as "from point a to point b".
But when generally speaking about a dancer's line, it is meant that you are speaking about the complete look from toes to the top of the head and everything in between.
Understanding line, is one of the most important things for a dancer and a dancer's personal understanding of his or her line develops throughout their training. It is one of those aspects that "you don't know how much you don't know" as you are learning the basics, and even advanced, steps and technique because a dance is usually trying to concentrate on doing a step, staying on balance or trying to look generally presentable.
A dancer who is thinking of their line in dance, is not only thinking of the positions of their legs and hands, but the also the slight title of their head over their arm while also thinking that their back him can be open too wide.
Every piece of their body is in a purposeful place, in order to give an overall atmosphere which suits the tone of the song, only then will he or she have accomplished a good line.
Until the last face-to-face just two days ago, the choreographer was certain of one thing, Park Soo-Ha had no "dance line."
Today however, he had reached the standard that divided just dancing and having rhythm. Park Soo-Ha's sense had changed, the connection and disconnection, the points of focusing and losing strength was there.
'Soo-Ha.... Why are so good?!"
Strictly speaking, his dance wasn't that praiseworthy, in comparison to most of the kids who specialised in dance.
Rather, it had reached the standard of a first-class idol group. It wouldn't particularly stand out but it gave off a sense of pleasure and enjoyment to those watching.
'Even if it's just the debut song. How'
It was in an incredible development!
The choreographer felt excitement, but soon calmed down, as he began to use his brain a little.
'He probably worked hard on the intro; he will go back to being off in a bit...'
"...."
But contrary to his expectations, he didn't go back.
Soo-ha not only stayed at the same level as he started in as he entered the chorus.
No, on the contrary, he was able to control his strength and speed even better.
- Tonight, the star is me, it's me, it's me
Only waited for you, it's me, it's me, it's me
In addition to his stable dancing, was his even more stabling singing.
He sang while dancing, without missing or omitting a single note.
The overall technique was slightly lacking, but it was clean, resonant and smooth.
There was no deviation or flatness in his performance.
Next to the choreographer, the special judge for the day, a familiar face to Park Soo-Ha, Kwon Bo-Ah taps her pen lightly in rhythm.
She had done so without realising, and she had only done so for 2 other performances before.
Soo-ha was the best vocally among the participants so far.
From what she could recall from her brief meeting, the boy was confident in himself.
The only reason she could recall the boy was because of the circumstances that caused her to let him go.
Normally, she wouldn't just let a trainee leave, the penalty fee was too harsh.
Normally, she would have them cut at the monthly evaluation as per their wishes and let them leave with no burden.
However, that week she had just gotten instruction from the Deputy director, that they would need to drop one of the members of the debuting team as there was a special hire incoming.
She couldn't do it, not to the same kids whose eyes lit up when she had told them they would be debuting.
As such she spent the entire week in a sense of moratorium, not knowing what to do.
That was until....
This boy volunteered as tribute.
At the time he was heaven sent, she even secretly paid for his penalty fee. A notice was to go out within the next week that his termination had been settled.
She had imagined him to be in a struggle, and working odd jobs.
Never in her life, did she expect to she him here... and so soon after he left her office, easily.
If she knew then....
That he was this.... this good, she would have forced him to stay whether by hook or by crook.
'Damn! What did I just lose?!'
'I'm sure his monthly evaluation said he was only above average!'
'Director Jang! If it wasn't for you, we'd still have this monster!'